Monday

May 4, 2020 at 9:45 AM

Some of us have been in quarantine so long, we're starting to feel like Han Solo in carbonite. That's why Star Wars Day couldn't come at a better time.

"May the 4th" is a day for all lovers of Jedi, Sith, the Resistance, the Skywalkers, the Hutts, Boba Fett, Gamorrean guards, Maz Kanata, General Grievous, Rancor Keeper and Snap Wexley to unite and celebrate all there is in the galaxy far, far away. (Why May 4, you ask? Why, it's right there in the date, a play on "May the Force be with you.")

This Star Wars Day, it's time to celebrate the upcoming 40th anniversary of "The Empire Strikes Back," which premiered May 21, 1980, and introduced Yoda, AT-ATs, Billy Dee Williams' Lando Calrissian and one heck of a parental reveal. That, and of course we all could use the Force right about now.

The blockbuster franchise has remained beloved to generations since George Lucas' original 1977 "Star Wars," and that's a lot of time to figure out various ways to get your "May the 4th" on while social distancing at home. Here are some of our favorites:

Watch the movies. Or, more likely, watch them again.

If you can believe it, there are some people who've never seen "Star Wars." But there's no excuse anymore now that, as of this Monday with the addition of "The Rise of Skywalker," all nine movies in the Skywalker saga – as well as the spin-off "Rogue One" – are a few clicks away on the Disney+ streaming service. (You'll have to go to Netflix to find "Solo: A Star Wars Story.")

But for those longtime fans, break out the Blu-rays and DVDs, hunt for your VHS cassettes, or – if you want to really go old school – dust off the laser discs. And we do suggest you watch the original 1983 edition of "Return of the Jedi," rather than the later special edition that took out the Ewoks' celebration song and inserted Hayden Christensen (aka prequel Anakin "Darth Vader" Skywalker) into the Dead Jedi Club at the end.

"Yub nub." Never forget.

Binge on various 'Star Wars' shows

The highly anticipated series finale of "Star Wars: The Clone Wars" – which centers on a pre-Vader Anakin and other Jedi during the prequel era – airs this Monday on Disney+, putting a close to the seventh season of the animated show that's had a long road (from Cartoon Network to cancellation to resurrection) reaching the finish line. Cartoon fans can also check out "Star Wars Rebels," focusing on the Rebel Alliance just prior to the events of the '77 film, and the pilot-centric "Star Wars Resistance" set during the time of "The Force Awakens."

Plus, if you haven't had the pleasure of seeing the completely adorable Baby Yoda, now's the time to catch up on the first season of the Western-flavored series "The Mandalorian." (The upcoming second season reportedly will feature Rosario Dawson as the live-action version of "Clone Wars" heroine Ahsoka Tano.) A special "Disney Gallery" program also premieres Monday on Disney+ looking at the behind-the-scenes making of the show that stars Pedro Pascal as the armored title gunslinger.

Let the blue milk flow

Luke Skywalker's Uncle Owen and Aunt Beru had blue milk on their breakfast table back on Tatooine, and you can enjoy it as well with these recipes. (Seriously, who doesn't want to try blue milk pudding?!) StarWars.com has a whole section of food-related fun for those who want to party hearty, including Yoda pancakes. And the folks at Genius Kitchen have put together some eats including Millennium Falcon Pizza and Porg Rice Balls.

Read the further adventures of Luke Skywalker and friends

If the newest "Star Wars" trilogy hasn't been exciting enough, the rash of recent comic books and novels – most of them pretty rad – have fleshed out stories not seen in the movies. The flagship "Star Wars" comic is currently filling in the time between "Empire Strikes Back" and "Return of the Jedi" as Luke comes to grips with Darth Vader being his dad. (Forty-year-old spoiler alert!) and a recent "The Rise of Kylo Ren" miniseries looked at the turn toward the dark side for Adam Driver's First Order villain.

Book lovers will want to check out the prose book "Alphabet Squadron" – following a group of New Republic pilots hunting a mysterious TIE Fighter group exacting revenge after the fall of the Empire (see: "Return of the Jedi") – before the sequel "Shadow Fall" hits in June. In addition, through May 8, you can snag a free e-book of E.K. Johnston's "Queen's Shadow," featuring Natalie Portman's character Padme from the prequel movies.

Say 'Punch it, Chewie!' to some virtual events

"Star Wars" fandom wonders if the Celebration convention planned for August in Anaheim, California, will go off or not, but Jedi lovers can interact with each other for a bunch of online revelry hosted by Reedpop on Monday and Tuesday (billed as "May the 4th Be With You" and "Revenge of the 5th"). On tap are live tweets of movies, Facebook interviews with authors and voiceover actors, plus quizzes and trivia.

Lots of places discount their Star Wars merch on May 4, and StarWars.com has a roundup of all the coolest stuff, from Darth Vader boxing gloves to C-3PO and R2-D2 kids pajamas. If you've got time on your hands (and a lot of shelf space in your house), Lego is debuting its large collectors series A-wing Starfighter from "Return of the Jedi." Maybe you'll finish it by the time Baby Yoda's back in the upcoming second season of "The Mandalorian"!